Expert Witness & Peer Review
Trusted Expert Cultural Witnesses Across Australia
When cultural heritage issues become contested, time‑critical or legally consequential, you need expert evidence and independent peer review that is legally defensible, culturally respectful and strategically effective. Our specialists provide court‑ready expert witness reports, robust peer reviews, and clear testimony grounded in deep cultural knowledge, extensive archaeological and anthropological practice and statutory understanding of the relevant state and Federal legislation.
Let’s Get Your Project Started
Why high‑quality expert evidence matters
Reduces project risk
Defensible expert opinions limit exposure to legal challenge, regulatory delay and reputational harm.
Influences outcomes
Well‑crafted expert reports and testimony help tribunals, courts, councils and regulators reach informed decisions.
Protects cultural integrity
Rigorous, culturally aware evidence supports outcomes that respect Traditional Owner values while meeting project objectives.
Who benefits from our services
Developers and infrastructure proponents facing contested heritage issues or major approvals
Planning consultants preparing for hearings, panel reviews, or complex permit negotiations
Local and state government agencies needing independent technical advice or quality assurance
Legal teams requiring expert reports, joint expert conferencing, or cross-examination preparation
Registered Aboriginal Parties and Traditional Owner groups seeking independent technical input
Our Services
Expert witness reports and affidavit preparation
- Independently researched, clearly structured reports meeting legal admissibility and court formatting standards.
- Statement of qualifications, factual basis, methodology, opinions, limitations and referenced evidence.
- Options analysis: risk-based conclusions and practicable recommendations for avoidance, mitigation or further investigation.
Independent peer review & technical audits
- Objective review of CHMPs, CVAs, archaeological reports, survey methodologies, and management plans to identify gaps, strengths and compliance with best practice and statutory requirements.
- Deliverables include a formal peer review report, practical remediation actions and a redline or annotated version where required.
Tribunal and court advocacy support
- Courtroom or hearing testimony, expert conferencing, concurrent evidence facilitation, and pre-hearing briefings to counsel.
- Preparation of joint expert statements where appropriate.
Forensic field re-assessment & targeted re-investigation
- Rapid on‑site reviews, re‑analysis of artefact assemblages, stratigraphic reassessment and targeted sampling to resolve disputed interpretations or demonstrate compliance/ non‑compliance with CHMP conditions.
Methodology validation & defensibility checks
- Review and validation of survey designs, sampling strategies, artefact identification protocols and Traditional Owner engagement procedures to ensure rigour and legal defensibility.
Risk assessments & dispute avoidance strategies
- Expert-led risk profiling, decision trees and evidence-based mitigation strategies designed to reduce the likelihood of disputes and support settlement negotiations.
Why Engage Us
Expertise
Experienced expert witnesses with a record of credible testimony in courts and inquiries.
Cultural integrity
We work in partnership with Traditional Owners ensuring cultural protocols guide evidence and that sensitive information is managed appropriately.
Cross-disciplinary team
Archaeologists, anthropologists and heritage lawyers who translate technical detail into persuasive, accessible evidence.
Evidence-based approach
All opinions are supported by transparent methods, replicable data and contemporary best practice.
Pragmatic focus
We prioritise outcomes that are legally robust and commercially realistic, helping projects proceed where possible while protecting heritage.
Potential Deliverables
- Court-ready expert witness report or affidavit
- Independent peer review report with recommended corrective actions
- On-site re-assessment reports and artefact re-analyses
- Joint expert statements
Credentials & experience highlights
- Proven record in court matters involving compliance, heritage significance disputes and contested planning approvals.
- Team includes senior archaeologists and anthropologists with postgraduate qualifications and long-standing relationships with Traditional Owners and regulators.
- Experience advising government agencies, major infrastructure projects, developers and legal firms on high-profile heritage matters.
Practical outcomes clients can expect
- Reduced legal exposure through defensible, transparent expert opinion.
- Faster resolution of disputes via credible independent review and strategic evidence presentation.
- Improved project certainty by resolving technical heritage issues or refining mitigation strategies acceptable to RAPs and regulators.
- Preservation of reputation by handling culturally sensitive matters with rigour and respect.
Case Studies
Testimonials
Sector Manager | Millar Merrigan
ACHM has consistently provided us with expert advice on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, including the preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans. They’re great to work with—professional, competitively priced, and reliable in meeting timeframes. Their practical approach and responsiveness make them a valued partner on our projects.
Chief Executive Officer | Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
ACHM are engaged extensively across Banjima Country and they provide exceptional expertise, professionalism, customer service and a genuine passion for preserving and promoting cultural heritage. ACHM goes beyond mere consultancy through consistently delivering professional services, solutions and best practice in every thing they do.
Senior Development Manager | Dav Consulting
We recently engaged ACHM to manage extensive Cultural Heritage Artefact Salvage Operations for an expansive and complex greenfields development site on north side of Melbourne. The diligence, open communication, efficiency and positive outcomes achieved by the ACHM Team, including in their coordination and management of the local RAP, was first class, and made my job as Development Manager substantially easier. Cannot recommend highly enough
Senior Development Manager | Avid
I have been a client of ACHM for over a decade and have engaged their services across four large-scale projects. Throughout this time, their dedication and professionalism have remained consistently impressive. ACHM excels at managing client expectations while operating sensitively within complex environments. They are highly skilled at guiding clients through cultural heritage approval processes, striking the delicate balance between client priorities and cultural sensitivities. I highly recommend ACHM for their expertise and commitment.
ABIGroup
We wish to thank yourself, Erica Walther and Shaun Canning who have at all times been professional, free to discuss potential options and provide feedback on the status of the Cultural Heritage Management Plans. We have found the ACHM team to be knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
Environmental Coordinator, GMW Connections Project
ACHM have provided us with numerous due diligence assessments and Cultural Heritage Management Plans to both standard and complex level. They approach their scope with our project timeframes and budgets in mind, and I know I can rely on them to get the best outcome for these projects. ACHM provide pragmatic staff with great traditional owner relationships allowing for quick turnaround times.
Sector Manager | Millar Merrigan
ACHM has consistently provided us with expert advice on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, including the preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans. They’re great to work with—professional, competitively priced, and reliable in meeting timeframes. Their practical approach and responsiveness make them a valued partner on our projects.
Chief Executive Officer | Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
ACHM are engaged extensively across Banjima Country and they provide exceptional expertise, professionalism, customer service and a genuine passion for preserving and promoting cultural heritage. ACHM goes beyond mere consultancy through consistently delivering professional services, solutions and best practice in every thing they do.
Senior Development Manager | Dav Consulting
We recently engaged ACHM to manage extensive Cultural Heritage Artefact Salvage Operations for an expansive and complex greenfields development site on north side of Melbourne. The diligence, open communication, efficiency and positive outcomes achieved by the ACHM Team, including in their coordination and management of the local RAP, was first class, and made my job as Development Manager substantially easier. Cannot recommend highly enough
Senior Development Manager | Avid
I have been a client of ACHM for over a decade and have engaged their services across four large-scale projects. Throughout this time, their dedication and professionalism have remained consistently impressive. ACHM excels at managing client expectations while operating sensitively within complex environments. They are highly skilled at guiding clients through cultural heritage approval processes, striking the delicate balance between client priorities and cultural sensitivities. I highly recommend ACHM for their expertise and commitment.
ABIGroup
We wish to thank yourself, Erica Walther and Shaun Canning who have at all times been professional, free to discuss potential options and provide feedback on the status of the Cultural Heritage Management Plans. We have found the ACHM team to be knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
Environmental Coordinator, GMW Connections Project
ACHM have provided us with numerous due diligence assessments and Cultural Heritage Management Plans to both standard and complex level. They approach their scope with our project timeframes and budgets in mind, and I know I can rely on them to get the best outcome for these projects. ACHM provide pragmatic staff with great traditional owner relationships allowing for quick turnaround times.
Protect your project and your reputation with legally defensible, culturally respectful expert evidence
Contact us to discuss how our Expert Witness & Peer Review services can help you navigate contested cultural heritage issues.